Styrax tree named &#39;sjmtf&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Japanese Snowbell tree named ‘SJMTF’ substantially as herein shown, illustrated and described, characterized particularly as to novelty by its columnar growth habit; dominant central leader, smaller, darker leaves; and its prolific blooms. These genetic traits are unique to my new variety and can be consistently reproduced by asexual propagation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGRDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

Latin name of genus and species: Styrax japonicus.

Varietal denomination: Japanese Snowbell tree which I have named‘SJMTF’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of JapaneseSnowbell tree (Styrax japonicus). The variety is designated by thecultivar name ‘SJMTF’.

Discovery

The new Styrax japonicus‘SJMTF’ variety is the result of a selectionmade by the inventor, Dwayne Moon, from a tree which was crossed withinthe species (a male Styrax japonicus named MTF101 and a female Styraxjaponicus named MTF201; not patented) at a farm in Madison, Ga. In 2014,the inventor began to take grafts from the mature parent tree andplanted them in production fields in Washington, Ga. where evaluation ofthis tree continues.

Propagation

‘SJMTF’ was asexually propagated by the method of grafting at mydirection in the summer of 2014 at a farm in Washington, Ga. Thispropagation from grafting on Styrax japonicus understock and resultingprogeny has proven the characteristics of my new variety to begenetically stable. Furthermore, these observations have confirmed that‘SJMTF’ represents a new and improved variety of Japanese Snowbell treeas particularly evidenced by the columnar growth habit; dominant centralleader; smaller, darker leaves; and its prolific white blooms. Thesegenetic traits are unique to ‘SJMTF’ and can be consistently reproducedby asexual propagation.

Uniqueness

The characteristics of ‘SJMTF’ distinguish it from other typicalseedling Japanese Snowbell trees and the known cultivars. At the timethis tree was selected, I observed ‘SJMTF’ Japanese Snowbell tree as atwo inch caliper tree exhibiting a columnar growth habit; dominantcentral leader, smaller, darker leaves like (RHS 147A) in summer; andprolific white blooms from May to June. These traits make ‘SJMTF’significantly different from the species which is rounded tobroad-rounded. The traits of ‘SJMTF’ also make it uniquely differentfrom other cultivars such as ‘Evening Shade’ (Patent U.S. Plant Pat. No.24,168P2) which has foliage that emerges dark purple, ‘Angyo Dwarf’(patent unknown) which has a dwarf habit; ‘Carillon,’ (patent unknown)‘Pendula,’ (patent unknown) and ‘Fragrant Fountains’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 19,664) which all have weeping forms; ‘Pink Chimes’(patent unknown),and ‘Rosea’ (patent unknown) which have pink flowers; ‘Issai’ (patentunknown) which is a faster grower; ‘Emerald Meadow’ (patent unknown) and‘Snowcone’ (patent unknown) which are pyramidal in habit; ‘EmeraldPagoda’ (patent unknown) which has larger leaves, and larger, heavierflowers; ‘Crystal’ (patent unknown) which has an upright fastigiatehabit with flowers which have purple pedicels; ‘Kusan’ (patent unknown)which has a compact, globe-shaped form; and ‘Snow Charm’ (patentunknown) and ‘Snowfall’ (patent unknown) which both have rounded habits.

Use

‘SJMTF’ was observed for a period of several years and is believed to beparticularly useful as a specimen tree in commercial and residentialareas, and is worthy of extensive landscape use from golf courses,commercial sites, and parks. ‘SJMTF’ will also benefit growers who willprofit from the desired look of a high quality flowering tree due to itscolumnar growth habit, very dark foliage, along with abundant whitebell-shaped blooms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Background

Seedling Japanese Snowbell is a small, low-branched tree which developsa rounded to broad-rounded crown with a wide-spreading, horizontalbranching pattern. Mature native Japanese Snowbell trees are typically20 to 30 feet in height with a spread of 15 to 25 feet. JapaneseSnowbell tree is native to China, Korea, and Japan being introduced in1862. It is noted for its pendulous clusters of bell-shaped, mildlyfragrant, waxy white flowers that bloom in May-June. Flowers give way togreenish-brown, olive-shaped drupes that often persist into late autumn.Elliptic-ovate, glossy, medium to deep green leaves. Fall color isusually insignificant, however leaves may sometimes turn yellow to red.Japanese Snowbell tree variety ‘SJMTF’ is an improvement over thespecies in that it is asexually reproduced with a columnar growth habitwith a dominant central leader; smaller, darker leaves like (RHS 147A)in summer; and prolific white blooms from May to June. The ultimateheight and width of a fully grown, mature ‘SJMTF’ is not known. The newJapanese Snowbell tree ‘SJMTF’ variety is expected to perform as well asthe species varieties.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs depict the overall appearance and color ofthe tree and foliage of the new Japanese Snowbell tree ‘SJMTF’ varietyin reference to trees at 5 years of age as nearly as is reasonablypossible to make the same in a color illustration of this character.

FIG. 1 shows ‘SJMTF’ taken in the production field in Washington, Ga. inWilkes County in 2018.

FIG. 2 shows the small, dark leaves of ‘SJMTF’.

FIG. 3 shows propagation of the rooted cuttings of ‘SJMTF’.

FIG. 4 shows the columnar growth habit of ‘SJMTF’.

FIG. 5 shows the bark of ‘SJMTF’.

FIG. 6 shows the fruit of ‘SJMTF’.

FIG. 7 shows the prolific flowers of ‘SJMTF’.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Botanical Description of the Plant

The following is a detailed description of ‘SJMTF’ Japanese Snowbelltree with color terminology in accordance with The Royal HorticultureSociety (R.H.S.) Colour Chart (2001) except where the context indicatesa term having its ordinary dictionary meaning.

‘SJMTF’ has not been observed under all growing conditions, andvariations may occur as a result of different growing conditions. Allprogeny of ‘SJMTF’, insofar as have been observed by the inventor, haveremained genetically stable in all characteristics describedhereinafter. Other than as set out hereinafter, as of this time, noother characteristics have been observed by the inventor that aredifferent from common Japanese Snowbell trees.

-   Scientific name: Styrax japonicus ‘SJMTF’.    -   -   Parentage.—Naturally occurring cross-pollinated seedling            with the species, Japanese Snowbell tree growing in a            cultivated field in Madison, Ga. and now grafted and planted            into production fields in Washington, Ga.-   Propagation:    -   -   Root description.—‘SJMTF’ is grafted onto seedling            rootstocks, so the root system is expected to be typical of            the species, which is somewhat coarse.        -   Root color.—Gray-brown like (RHS N199).-   Tree:    -   -   Growth habit.—Upright columnar branch structure.        -   In a container or in the ground.—In ground.        -   Height.—Approximately 12′ foot at 5 years.        -   Plant spread.—Approximately 4 foot at 5 years.        -   Growth rate.—Height to width ratio 4-1. Average caliper            growth rate between ½ to ¾ inch per year.        -   Trunk diameter.—Approximately 2 inch caliper measured at 12            inches above the ground at 5 years. Rises through the canopy            and maintains a central leader.        -   Trunk.—Trunk bark texture: Smooth consistency but showing            irregular and interlacing fissures. Trunk bark color:            Gray-Brown like (RHS N199).-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Sheen.—Smooth; upper surface glossy; lower surface matte.        -   Shape of leaf blade.—Elliptical.        -   Leaf apex shape.—Acute.        -   Leaf base shape.—Cuneate.        -   Leaf margin characteristics.—Serrate.        -   Description of any leaf pubescence.—None.        -   Leaf length.—4 cm to 6 cm.        -   Leaf width.—1.5 cm to 2.75 cm.        -   Leaf internode length.—About 1.5 cm.        -   Leaf venation description.—Pinnate.        -   Petiole length.—1 cm to 1.5 cm.        -   Petiole diameter.—2 mm.        -   Petiole color.—Green like (RHS N138A).        -   Petiole texture.—Smooth with light pubescence when foliage            emerges.        -   Spring leaf color.—First emerging leaves are green like (RHS            139B).        -   Summer leaf color.—Upper leaf surface is a very dark green            foliage like (RHS 139A) while the lower leaf surface is            green like (RHS N138A). The center vein is green like (RHS            138B).        -   Fall color.—Fall color remains green (RHS 139A) with no real            significant change in fall.        -   Pubescence.—None.-   Flowers:    -   -   Shape.—Individually, each flower is bell-shaped.        -   Size.—Individual flowers have an average diameter of 1.25 to            3 cm drupes.        -   Color.—White like (RHS 155D).        -   Petals.—Five lobed, white like (RHS 155D). Length: 1.5 cm to            3.5 cm. Width: 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. Shape: oval. Texture (top):            smooth. Texture (bottom): smooth.        -   Sepals.—About 5 sepals overlapping in a bell crown. Length:            About 0.5 mm. Color: Green like (RHS 140C). Apex            description: obtuse. Base description: rounded. Texture:            glabrous. Width: 2.5 cm.        -   Stamen.—About 5 to 7 per flower. Filament length: About 1 cm            by 0.5 mm in diameter. Filament color is white like (RHS            155D).        -   Anthers.—Broadly oval but slightly irregular in shape, 4 mm            long by 1 mm to 2 mm in diameter. Color is greyed-white like            (RHS 156C).        -   Pollen.—Yellow like (RHS 10B). Amount: Slight.        -   Pedicel.—Length 1.5 mm; diameter 1 mm; color green like (RHS            142B).        -   Peduncle.—6 cm long by 1.5 mm diameter. Shape: cylindrical.            Texture: glabrous. Color: greyed red-like (RHS 180A).        -   Fragrance.—Sweet.        -   Flowering season.—Flowering from May to June.        -   Flower longevity on plant.—Individual flowers last from            three to four weeks; flowers not persistent.        -   Height.—1.5 cm.        -   Inflorescence.—Form: pendulous raceme. Arrangement:            terminal. Number of flowers per inflorescence: 4 to 8.-   Buds:    -   -   Terminal flower buds.—Length: about 2 to 3 mm. Diameter:            about 1 mm. Color: grey-brown like (RHS 199C). Texture:            Smooth, glabrous. Shape: oval.        -   Lateral flower bud.—Length: About 2 to 3 mm. Diameter: about            1 mm. Color: brown like (RHS 199C). Texture: Smooth,            glabrous. Shape: oval.        -   Fruit.—Shape: Oval. Color: Yellow-green like (RHS 145C).            Length: 2.5 to 6 cm. Diameter: 8 cm.-   Seed:    -   -   Shape.—Ovoid with acute apex and base.        -   Length.—8 mm.        -   Width.—5 mm.        -   Color.—Greyed orange like (RHS 166C).        -   Number per capsule.—Typically 1.-   Pistil:    -   -   Quantity.—1.        -   Length.—1.5 cm.        -   Texture.—Smooth.-   Ovary:    -   -   Length.—4 mm.        -   Diameter.—3 mm.        -   Shape.—Rounded.        -   Color.—Greyed purple like (RHS N186C).-   Stigma:    -   -   Length.—5 mm.        -   Diameter.—5 mm.        -   Shape.—Rounded.        -   Color.—White like (RHS N155B).-   Style:    -   -   Length.—16 mm.        -   Diameter.—1 mm.        -   Shape.—Linear.        -   Color.—White like (RHS N155B).

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Pathogen and pest resistance: Trees of the new Styrax japonicus    ‘SJMTF’ variety have no pests or diseases known to the inventor.-   Temperature tolerance: Trees of the new Styrax japonicus ‘SJMTF’    variety have been observed to tolerate high temperatures about    95° F. and low temperatures about 10° F. when grown in USDA    Hardiness Zone 7b. The new Styrax japonicus ‘SJMTF’ variety is    suitable for growing in USDA zones 5 through 8.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Japanese Snowbelltree named ‘SJMTF’ as herein shown, illustrated and described.